It’s November in Stoneham, New Hampshire, and that means it’s time for the Chamber of Commerce elections. The race is already a bit heated, as the long-standing Chamber president is being challenged by a former lover—Tricia’s own sister, Angelica. Then local small business owner Stan Berry throws his hat in the ring.

Unfortunately, it’s not there for long when he’s found murdered in the Brookview Inn. The murder weapon is a brass letter opener belonging to the inn’s receptionist. Tricia knows there’s no way the receptionist is a killer. And when Angelica asks Tricia to help clear her name and win the election, she sees little choice except to start snooping.

She soon uncovers a ballot box full of lies and betrayals, and a chamber full of people who had grudges against the victim. But were they serious enough to lead to murder? And who truly had something to gain? Tricia will have to do some serious sleuthing before she pulls the lever on a killer.

My Thoughts:

This book follows Angelica and Tricia who are sisters as well book store owners Angelica a cookbook store, along with her cafe across the road and until recently has decided to run for President of the Chamber of Commerce. She has decided she can help run the town better than the current President and her ex-boyfriend Robert Kelly whose a local realtor in town. When Angelica throws her name into the running the Chamber of Commerce she finds she's not alone as Stan Berry who makes signs for local businesses has decided to run the town and has his own vision of the future of Stoneham.

Not long into the Chamber of Commerce election Tricia whose in desperate need of a bathroom stumbles across Stan Berry on the toilet dead. Who killed him? Does his death have anything to do with the election and if not why was he killed? And who is Stan Berry?

Tricia finds herself doing her own investigating after her sister seems to be suspect number 1, and in order to clear her sister's name she knows she has to learn as much as she can about Stan Berry. When a new comer to Stoneham arrives Stan Berry jr. also known as Will Berry Tricia's learn he has a son whom Stan never really took the time to get to know or even support. What will Will do? Is he like his father or does he have something to do with his father's demise?

We also learn more about Christopher Tricia's ex-husband. Why he's around and what he really wants. Christopher seems to have finally figured out how badly he screwed up when he went to find himself and ditched his life and his wife. Does Tricia want him back or even want anything to do with him? While all this is going on Tricia's ex-employee Ginny is getting married to Antonio who works at the local Brookview Inn. Will Ginny and Antonio have the wedding of their dreams or will the death of Stan Berry mess up their beautiful wedding?

I love this series maybe because I'm from NH or maybe it's the descriptions given to Stoneham by Lorna Barrett she really brings you in wanting to see how everyone is doing from the last time we've heard from them. This book didn't disappoint it welcomed you in like you are just another shop owner catching up with Tricia and her sister Angelica. I can't wait to see what is next in this series.